Page 124 of The Bone Man

“It’s difficult to find human clothes that fit properly.” He walks to the other side of the bed and pulls back the covers to slip inside. “The thought is appreciated, though, as is the meaning behind it.”

Flint clears his throat. “Well, we need to build a new collection.”

Darius cuddles up against my other side, heating me with his fire. “Will they all be so…frivolous?”

Flint frowns. “That’s kind of the point. We have too much seriousness in our lives.”

Darius sighs as he nestles his head against my shoulder. “Then I will keep a mind for frivolity when I choose your gift.”

Flint shifts uncomfortably. “You don’t have to–”

“I will,” Darius cuts in firmly.

The sound of the door opening fills the awkward silence, followed by soft giggles and the sound of Marc’s hushing.

He steps past the double doors, Sharpe’s arm draped over his shoulder as the other man lists from side to side. Anny trots beside them, her nails clicking against the hardwood floor.

When Marc sees that we’re still awake, he veers into the room.

Sharpe’s head lifts, stars shining in his eyes, and he releases Marc to crawl onto the bed and fling himself between me and Flint.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re shiny?” He rears up to look at Darius. “And you’re…” He frowns as he searches for the right word. “Woosh.”

Flint groans. “Who gave himsty’ra hy’n?”

Marc shakes his head. “I have no idea.”

Sharpe spreads his arms out, trying to hug all three of us. “I love you guys.”

“Come on, drunkard.” Marc grabs his ankles and pulls him down to the foot of the bed. “Let’s get you changed for sleep.”

Sharpe blinks up at him. “You’rewoosh,too. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“Yes,you, at least five times on the way up to our room.” Marc lifts him and carries him into the bathroom before returning for a change of clothes.

When he finds the gift boxes, he opens them and laughs. “Nice. I love these.”

He vanishes back into the bathroom, and the sound of clattering drifts out. I can only imagine the struggle of wrangling Sharpe into a change of clothes.

Several minutes later, Sharpe sprints back into the bedroom and dives under the covers, crawling over Flint to wedge himself between us.

Flint grumbles but makes room, and Sharpe flops onto his back.

Marc strides out of the bathroom, shuts off the light, and walks to the other side of the bed to cuddle up behind Darius.

“Is everyone settled?” Flint asks, reaching for the lamp on his side of the bed.

Affirmatives rise from all of us, but before Flint can turn out the light, Anny races into the room and leaps onto the bed.

Her small paws land hard on my stomach, and I let out a shout of pain. “Get off! This is why you’re named Annoying!”

“Actually, her full name is Orianna,” Flint announces. “Not Annoying.”

“It means sunrise,” Darius adds.

“She’s still annoying.” I shove her off me, and she moves to the foot of the mattress, ignoring the miniature bed intended for her use.

Sharpe bolts upright. “We should watch the sunrise.”

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